Machine for use in applying pressure to shoe bottoms



Au 1938. J. 'r. LANCASTER 2,125,930

MACHINE FOR USE IN APPLYING PRESSURE TO SHOE BOTTOMS Filed Feb. 11', 1935 2 Sheets-She et 1 1938. J. T. LANCASTER 2,125,930

MACHINE FOR USE IN APPLYING PRESSURE TO SHOE BOTTQMS Filed Feb. 11, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.2.

8(1). QM H SZTWM Patented Aug. 9, 1938 UNITED. STATES PATENT oFFicE MACHINE For. UsE IN APPLYING PRESSURE T SHOE BOTTOMS John T. Lancaster, Newton, Mass., assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Paterson, N. J., a corporation pr New Jersey ApplicationFebruary 11,1935, Serial No. 5,959 19" Claims. (01. 12--36) This invention relates to improvements; in machines for use in applying pressure to. shoe bottoms and is herein illustrated as-embodied in a machine for cement attaching soles to shoes, for example, in attaching the soles of compo shoes.

An object of the invention is to provide a machine having improved means for supporting soles and shoes on shoe receiving pads while i sole attaching pressure is being supplied thereto. A further object of the invention. is to provide in conjunction with said supporting means an improved construction whereby the mounting of soles and shoes on the pads and removing them therefrom may be facilitated.

The illustrated machine is of that typein which a plurality of shoe receiving pads is carried in pad boxes connected in an endless series to form a conveyor. As illustrated herein and in accordance with one feature of the invention,

each pad box is mounted for heightwise movement in a rigid upright yoke or frame provided. with fixed abutments arranged to engage a shoe mounted on the pad and to support the shoe against the thrust of thesole attaching pressure.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, each frame carries mechanism for 'adjusting the pad box heightwise of the frame toward or' away from the fixed abutments and. :50 means is provided at the operating station for actuating the adjusting mechanism on each frame, thereby increasing the space between the pad and the abutments when a shoe is to be mounted on or removed from the pad, and thereafter bringing the shoe on the pad into engagement with the abutments to apply sulficient preliminary pressure to hold the shoe in position. In this way the shoes andsoles can be positioned on and removed from the pads without danger of scarring the shoe uppers because of insuflicient space between the pad and the shoe engaging abutments. Moreover, the difference in height between lasts in shoes of different sizes is compensated for without any -5 additional inflation of the pad, thereby causing each shoe to receive the full effect of the sole attaching pressure. Whilethe invention is disclosed herein as embodied in a conveyor-type machine, it should be understood that in many .50 of its aspects it is applicable alsoto machines of other types.

With the above and other objects and features in view the invention will now be described in connection with the accompanying drawings 55 and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, 1 Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a cement sole attaching machine of the endless conveyor typ embodying the present invention; and 1 Fig. 2 is a view of the machine as seen from the rear or the left as viewed in Fig. 1.- V

The invention is illustrated herein" as; embodied in a cement sole attaching machine of the so-called conveyor type such, for example, as that disclosed in British Patent No. 388,464 and in which a plurality of pressing devices including pad carrying members or pad boxes are interconnected for intermittent movement in an upstanding frame, the pad boxes being presented successively at an operating station to receive outsoles and shoes to which the outsoles are to be attached by cement. The illustrated machine comprises upright frame members II], It], braced at their upper ends by a horizontal shaft II, and carrying front and rear channel bars I2 and M the opposite ends of which are connected by semicircular portions to form a pair of endless inwardly facing tracks. Pad boxes I 6 are connected at spaced intervals to an endless chain l8 running over sprocket wheels (not shown) located at opposite ends of the upright frame It, thus forming an endless conveyor which may be moved step-by-step by any usual or suitable mechanism to present the pad boxes successively at an operating station located at a convenient place at the front of the machine.

Each pad box H5 'is provided withan inflatable sole and shoe receiving pad'2ll (Fig. 1) comprising an air-tight bag-of rubber or similar material reinforced; if desired, with leather :or fabricin any suitable manner and having an inlet valve 22 through which fluid under pressure, for example, compressed air, may be introduced to inflate the pad and thus apply pressure to the sole and shoe mounted thereon. The pads are also provided with outlet or exhaust valves 24 through which the compressed air can be released after pressure has been applied for a sufficient period of time to attach the sole permanently to the shoe bottom; As illustrated in the patent referred to, a stationary cam member or bar 25 is provided on a forward portion of the frame adjacent to the operating station for engaging the exhaust valve 24 on each pad and operating it to relieve the pressure in the pad before the pad box moves into the operating station, this cam being indicated in dash lines in Fig. 1. The cam 25 is preferably of such length that it will extend past several pad boxes and engage the exhaust valve on the pad which is several pads in advance of the operating station and hold it open during its progressive movement toward that station, thereby insuring effective release of the pressure in the pad. The length of the cam may be varied, however, so that .the pressure in the pads will not be entirely relieved in cases where some pressure is desired in the pad when it reaches the operating station. The inlet and exhaust valves may be of the well-known Schrader type or they may be valves of any other suitable type.

Projecting downwardly from the bottom side of each pad box IE are threaded shafts or studs 26, 28 which are secured to the pad box by pins and slide vertically in openings formed respectively in bearings 30, 32 provided at the lower portion of a rigid upstanding yoke or frame 34. The frame 34 is substantially elliptical in shape and completely surrounds the pad box, which, as shown in Fig. l, is positioned lengthwise of the frame so that the upper side or yoke portion of the frame extends longitudinally of the pad. The upper side of the rigid frame 34 has formed thereon a pair of stationary abutments 36, 38 which are arranged respectively to engage the toe portion of a lasted shoe A mounted on the pad, and the cone of the last L in the shoe. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the opposite sides of the rigid frame 34 are provided at their lower ends with a pair of rolls 40, 42 which are arranged to enter the tracks or channels in the channel bars I2 and I4 at opposite sides of the machine frame I 0, thereby supporting the rigid frame 34 in an upstanding position and permitting each frame to be moved intermittently around the tracks by the endless chain l8.

Each pad box IE is mounted horizontally in its frame 34 by means of the threaded shafts 26, 28.

The bearings 36, 32 which guide the threaded shafts are also provided with horizontal openings arranged to receive a pair of pinions 44, 46 which are threaded to receive the shafts 26, 28, the pinions being held against heightwise movement in the frame by the bearings 36, 32. The pitch of the threads on the shafts 26, 28 and on the pinions 44, 46 is not sufficient to enable the pressure applied thereto to overcome the coefficient of friction between the moving parts. Consequently, the shafts will remain in whatever positions they are adjusted without the aid of locking means of any kind. Moreover, heightwise pressure on the pad box increases the friction between the shafts and the pinions and thus acts to hold the parts in the positions they occupy when the pressure is applied.

A web 48 connects the two bearings at the bottom of the frame 34 and has secured thereto by screws 50 a cover plate 52 provided with a longitudinal slot 54 in which is slidably mounted a long bar 56 provided on one side with rack teeth 58 which mesh with the teeth of the pinions 44, 46, as shown in Fig. 1. The rack bar 56 is adapted to slide in the slot or guideway 54 to rotate r the pinions 44, 46, and thus move the shafts 26,

located that as each frame 34 moves into the operating station at the front of the machine, the roll will be in position to be engaged by a segmental cam 62 secured to a shaft 64 rotatably mounted in bearings 66, 68 formed on the upper portion of the frame In, the cam having formed in its upper surface a U-shaped groove or track 16 which is constructed and arranged to produce a forwardly and rearwardly sliding movement of the rack as the cam is rotated in opposite directions about its axis 64. The throw of the cam track I is great enough to elevate the pad box sufficiently to bring the smallest shoe to be operated upon into engagement with the fixed abutments. A substantial portion of the cam track at the upper part of the cam, as viewed in Fig. 2, is straight so that as each frame 34 moves past the cam-with the shoe on its pad under pressure, the roll 60 can ride out of the cam track without changing the position of the rack 56 after it has been operated to move the shoe against the fixed abutments.

The forward or right-hand end of the shaft 64, as shown in Fig. 1, is provided with a fixed collar 12 having an arm 14 extending laterally of the shaft and pivotally connected to a treadle rod 76 the lower end of which is connected to a treadle 18 pivoted on a shaft 86 mounted in a bearing 82 formed at the lower portion of the frame II). The treadle 18 is depressed to rotate the cam 62 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, and to move the rack rearwardly or to the left, as shown in Fig. 1, thus lowering the pad box relatively to the frame 34 to provide ample space for removing the shoe from the pad and positioning another sole and shoe thereon. The treadle 18 extends beyond its pivot 86 to form another treadle 84 which may be operated from the operating station to reverse the position of the treadle 18 after the latter has lowered the pad box. The cam 62 is thus rotated in an opposite direction to elevate the pad box into the position shown in Fig. 1, thereby bringing the shoe on the pad into engagement with the fixed abutments. At this time the pressure in the deflated pad is at about atmospheric pressure or, if desired, it may be a few pounds more, for example 18 or pounds, depending on the position and length of the exhaust valve operating cam referred to above. In either case, the supporting surface of the pad will be sufficiently solid to support the shoe against the pressure exerted by the abutments so that the shoe will be held firmly in position on the pad.

If it is desired to apply some preliminary pressure to the shoe bottom in addition to supporting the shoe on the pad, the length of the stationary cam 25 may be varied so that the pressure in the pad will not be released to atmospheric pressure as the pad moves into the operating station but will be only partly released so that the pad will contain, for example. or pounds pressure. Under such conditions the cam 62 will not have completed its rotation when the shoe engages the abutments owing to the partially inflated condition of the pad and, as the operator continues to depress the treadle 84, the abutments will sink the sole and shoe into the pad an amount determined by the pressure remaining in the pad and the force exerted on the treadle. In this way preliminary pressure may,

if desired, be applied to the shoe bottom before any sole attaching pressure is applied thereto. A pair 'of adjustable stop screws 86, 88 are threaded into the opposite sides of a horizontal wall formed on the main frame I0, as shown in Fig. 2, and are so positioned that they will engage the treadles I8 and 84 and limit their upward movement.

After the shoe A has been brought into engagement with the fixed abutments 36, 39 through the operation of themechanism just described, fluid under pressure, for example compressed air, is introduced into the pad 2|] while it is still at the operating station, to'appl'y the sole attaching pressure. The compressed air is introduced by means of a movable nozzle 90 (Fig. 1)' formed on the end of a'pipe 92 which isslidably mounted in an upstanding portion of 'the frame I0, the nozzle 90 being provided witha valve (not shown) for preventing thee'scape of the compressed air until after the nozzle has been brought into en-.

gagement withthe nipple of the valve 22 on the pad box at the operating station. The air pipe 92 may be operated by any suitable mechanism and is herein disclosed as actuated by a treadle 94 pivoted on a short shaft 96 and connected at its outer end to a treadle rod 98 the upper end of which is pivotally connected to the upper arm of a bell-crank lever I99 (Fig. 1) pivoted on a stud I02 threaded into the upper portion of the frame III. The lower arm I04 of the bell-crank lever is pivoted to a horizontal rod I06 extending transversely of the frame and, at its rear or lefthand end, as viewed in Fig. 1, sliding through a sleeve I08 pivoted at III'I to the lower end of an upstanding lever II2 which is fulcrumed on a pin I I4 extending between ears formed on a horizontal bolt IIB fastened in the upper portion of the frame I0. The upper end of the lever H2 is provided with a slot which engages a pin I I8 secured in the end of the pipe 92. A tension spring I29, anchored at one end to the frame Ill and at the other end to a collar I22 fastened to the rod I06, tends to move the rod toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 1, thereby raising the treadle 94. A compression spring I24 surrounds the inner end of the rod I96 and bears at one end against the sleeve I98 and at the other end against another collar I2l5 secured to the rod I96. By this arrangement when the treadle 94 is depressed the pipe 92 will be moved to the right,- as viewed in Fig. l, to engage the nipple 22 and thus admit compressed air tothe pad 253, the force of the treadle, however, being yieldingly transmitted through the compression spring I24. When the treadle is released the tension spring I20 withdraws the pipe 92 to its original position. It should be understood that the mechanism just described forms no essential part of the invention and other suitable mechanism may be employed, if desired, for controlling the admission of compressed air into the pads.

In the operation of the machine, before each padbox reaches the operating station it will have engaged the stationary cam 25 which operates the exhaust valve 24 and thus relieves the air pressure in the pad the desired amount so that the latter arrives at the operating station ready to receive a sole and shoe. The operator depresses the treadle I8 to rotate the segmental cam 62 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2 which, through the operation of the rack and .pinions, lowers the pad box and thus provides sufficient space between the. pad and the abutments 36, 38 to permit theremoval of the shoe to which an outsole has been attached without scarring the shoe upper and to permit the introduction on the pad of another sole and shoe. He then locates the sole and shoe relatively to eachotheron the pad and depresses the treadle 84 to rotate the cam62 in a counterclockwise direction and thus move the rack 56 into its initial position, thereby elevating the pad. box until the shoe and its last are engaged respectively by the abutments 36, ,38, as shown in Fig. 1, to apply suflicient pressure to hold the'shoe firmly in position on the pad or, if desired, to apply .the required amount of preliminary pressure. While the pad box is still at the operating stationthe operator depresses the treadle 94 to bring the air pipe 92 into engagement with the valve 22 and thus admit compressed air into the pad to apply the sole attaching pressure, this pressure preferably being approximately 60 pounds to .the square inch. As stated above, the pitchof the threads on the shafts 26, 28 and pinions 44, 46 is such as to hold the'pad box firmly in position.

when the sole attaching pressure is applied; Upon'releasing the treadlei94 the pipe 92 returns to its inoperative position and the valve 22 closes to maintain the pressure in the pad while the frame 34 passes around the circuit of the machine and until it reaches the stationary cam 25 which operates the release valve 24 to relieve all or a substantial portion of the pressure in the pad.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A machine for applying pressure to shoe bottoms having, in combination, a pad box provided with a pad for receiving a sole and shoe, an upstanding frame for supporting said pad box, said frame surrounding the pad box longitudinally. abutments on the frame for engaging a shoe on the pad, mechanism carried by the frame for moving the pad box heightwise relatively thereto to bring the shoe into engagement with the abutments before pressure is applied to the shoe bottom, and means independent of the frame for actuating said mechanism.

2. A machine for applying pressure to shoe-bottoms having, in combination, a pad box, a padin the box for receivinga sole and shoe, a rigid upstanding frame supportingthe pad box and surrounding it longitudinally, said frame having an upper portion extendinglengthwise of the pad, fixed abutments on the upper side ofsaid frame constructed and arranged to engage a shoe mounted on the pad, mechanism on the frame for moving the pad box relatively thereto to bring a shoethereon into engagement with the fixed abutments thereby supporting the shoe on the pad, and means independent of the frame for actuating said mechanism. 7 g

3. A machine for applying pressure to shoe bottoms having, in combination, an upright elliptical frame, .apad box located longitudinally in the frame and arranged for movement heightwise thereof, a pad in the pad box for receivinga sole and shoe, stationary abutments formed on the upper side of the frame for engaging a shoe mounted on the pad. projections on the bottom of the pad box entering openings in the frame and movable heightwise of said openings, and manually controlled means for moving the projections heightwise of the openings tomove the pad box toward and from the stationary abutments.

4. A machine for applying pressure to shoe bottoms having, in combination, a pad box provided with an inflatable sole receiving pad, a rigid elliptical frame extending vertically around the pad box and supporting it longitudinally in the space enclosedthereby,'abutments at the top of the frame for engaging a shoe mounted on the pad, means on the bottom of the pad box for adjusting it heightwise relatively to the frame to move the shoe against the abutments with sufflcient pressure to hold the shoe in position on the pad, mechanism on the frame for effecting said heightwise adjustment, and manually-operated means .or inflating the pad after the shoe has contacted with the abutments, thereby applying sole attaching pressureto the shoe bottom.

5. A- machine for applying pressure to shoe bottoms having, in combination, a pad box provided with an inflatable pad having a surface for'receiving a sole and shoe, a rigid frame extending longitudinally around the pad box at right angles to the surface of the pad, said frame supporting the pad box horizontally in the space enclosed thereby, abutments fixed on the upper side of the frame and arranged to engage a shoe mounted on the pad, means for inflating the pad to'apply sole attaching pressure to the shoe and sole, and mechanism for raising and lowering the pad box relatively to the frame to bring the shoe into engagement with the abutments before pressure is applied 'to-the sole and shoe and to move the shoe away from said abutments after the pressing operation is completed, thereby providing ample space for the removal of the shoe from the pad and the mounting of another sole and shoe thereon. 6. A machine for applyingpressure to shoe bottoms having, in combination, a pad box provided with a pad for receiving a sole and shoe, a rigid upright frame extending longitudinally around the pad box at right angles to its under side, a pair oftabutments on the upper side of the frame for engaging a shoe on the pad and supporting it against pressure applied to its bottom surface, shafts on the under side of the pad box entering bearings in the lower portion of the frame, pinions threaded on said shafts and held against heightwise movement in the frame by said bearings, and means on the frame for rotating' said pinions to adjust the shafts heightwise and thus'move the pad box toward or away from the abutments. V

:7; A machine for applying pressure to shoe bottomshaving, in combination, a pad box with an inflatable pad for receiving a sole and shoe, a rigid frame surrounding the pad box longitudinally and supporting it in a horizontal position, fixed abutments on the frame for engaging a shoe mounted on the pad, means for inflating the pad to apply sole attaching pressure to the shoe and sole, threaded shafts fixed on the bottom of the pad box and entering bearings formed in the lowerportion of the frame, pinions threaded on said shafts and arranged to rotate in said bearings, and a slidable rack for rotating the pinions to move the shafts heightwise in their bearings and thus raise and lower the pad box, thereby bringing the shoe into engagement with the abu ments to apply preliminary pressure to the shoe bottom before sole attaching pressure is applied thereto, and moving the shoe away from the abutments after the pressing operation has been completed to provide ample space for the removal of theshoe from the pad and the introduction of another sole and shoe thereon.

* 8;.A machine for applying pressure to shoe bottoms having, in combination, a pad box provided with an inflatable sole receiving pad, a rigid elliptical frame/surrounding the pad box longitudinally andsupporting. it horizontally, a pair of fixed abutments on the upper side of the frame for engaging a shoe mounted with a sole on the pad, means for inflating the pad to apply sole attaching pressure to the shoe bottom, threaded shafts projecting from the under side of the pad box into openings in the frame and arranged for adjustment heightwise in said openings, pinions threaded on said shafts and arranged for rotation relatively thereto, a rack slidably mounted in the frame and meshing with said pinions, and treadle controlled means including a cam cooperating with a roll on the rack for actuating the rack and pinions and moving the pad box heightwise toward the abutments until the latter engage the shoe and for moving the pad box away from the abutments after the sole attaching pressure has been applied, thereby providing ample space for the removal of the shoe from the pad after the sole attaching pressure has been applied and for the introduction of another sole and shoe on said pad. I

9. A machine for applying pressure to shoe bottoms having, in combination, a conveyor comprising a plurality of sole and shoe receiving pads connected to an endless flexible member, a rigid upright frame surrounding each pad and supporting it for movement heightwise of the frame, abutments on each frame arranged to engage a shoe mounted on the pad, and means for moving each pad heightwise of its frame to bring the shoe into engagement with said abutments.

10. A machine for applying pressure to shoe bottoms having, in combination, an endless conveyor comprising a plurality of interconnected pads each adapted to receive a sole and shoe, a rigid frame supporting each pad and surrounding it longitudinally, a stationary abutment on each frame for engaging and supporting a shoe mounted on the pad, mechanism carried by each frame for adjusting its pad box heightwise to bring the shoe into engagement with said abutment, and means independent of the frames for actuating the adjusting mechanism on each frame.

11. A machine for applying pressure to shoe bottomshaving, in combination, a conveyor comprising a plurality of inflatable shoe receiving pads connected to an endless flexible member and arranged to be presented in rotation at an operating station, a rigid frame supporting each pad lengthwise and extending over the top of the pad, abutments formed on each frame for engaging a shoe on the pad supported thereby, mechanism on the lower portion of each frame for adjusting its pad heightwise to move the shoe into and out of engagement with the abutments, means for inflating each pad to apply sole attaching pressure to the shoe bottom after the shoe has engaged said abutments, and independent means at the operating station for actuating the adjusting mechanism on each frame when the frame is located at the operating station.

12. A machine for applying pressure to shoe bottoms having, in combination, a conveyor comprising a plurality of pad boxes containing shoe receiving pads and connected to an endless flexible member, an upstanding rigid frame supporting each pad box horizontally, the upper side of the frame extending longitudinally over the top of the pad, fixed abutments on each frame for engaging the shoe on the pad and supporting it during the application of pressure thereto, mechanism on each frame for adjusting the pad box heightwise relatively to the frame to move the shoe against said abutments before pressure is. applied .to the shoe, andntreadle-operated means independent of the :frames for actuating said adjustingimechanism.

2-13. A machinefor applying pressure to shoe bottoms having, in combination, .a series of pad boxes provided with inflatable pads, a rigid elliptical frame surrounding each pad box longitudinally and supporting it for heightwise movement relativelyrto the frame, each frame-being connected to an endlesssflexible member arranged for intermittent: movement ina fixed path. to presenteach paclbox inturn at anzoperating station, abutments on the upper portion of each frame for engaging a shoe mounteduon the pad supported thereby, mechanism on the lower portion of each frame for adjusting its pad box heightwise of the frame to move the shoe into and out of engagement with the abutments, manually-operated means for inflating each pad to apply sole attaching pressure to the shoe after the shoe has engaged the abutments, and means including a cam and connections between the cam and a treadle whereby the adjusting mechanism on each frame is actuated at the operating station.

14. A machine for applying pressure to shoe bottoms having, in combination, an endless con veyor comprising a plurality of interconnected pad boxes provided with inflatable sole and shoe receiving pads, a rigid upright frame for supporting each pad box horizontally, said frames extending longitudinally over the tops of the pads, a pair of stationary abutments on each frame for supporting the shoes against sole attaching pressure applied by inflation of the pads, projections on the bottom of each pad box entering the frame and adjustable heightwise thereof to move the shoe on the pad into and out of engagement with the abutments, means including pinions and a rack for adjusting the projections heightwise relatively to each frame, and means at an operating station for actuating the rack and pinions of each pad successively to move the shoe thereon against the abutments before the pad is inflated and, after the pressing operation is completed, to move the shoe away from said abutments to provide extra space for the removal of the shoe and the introduction of another sole and shoe.

15. A machine for applying pressure to shoe bottoms having, in combination, a conveyor comprising a series of rigid elliptical frames connected to an endless flexible member arranged to move intermittently to present the frames one at a time at an operating station, pad boxes supported longitudinally in said frames and arranged for movement heightwise relatively thereto, inflatable pads in the pad boxes each adapted to receive and apply pressure to a sole and shoe, a pair of fixed abutments at the top of each frame constructed and arranged to hold a shoe in position on the pad in the frame, means at the operating station for inflating each paid in turn to apply sole attaching pressure to the shoe mounted thereon, mechanism on each frame for moving the pad box heightwise to bring the shoe into engagement with the abutments before the sole attaching pressure is applied and thereafter to return the pad box to its initial position to facilitate the removal of the shoe from the pad, and manually controlled means for actuating said mechanism when each frame is located at the operating station.

16. A machine for applying pressure to shoe bottoms having, in combination, a conveyor comprising a plurality of rigid frames linked together by an endless chain arranged to move intermittently in a'predetermined path to present the frames successively at an operating station, pad boxes mounted longitudinally in the frames by threaded shaftswhich are arranged for movement heightwise thereof, inflatable pads in the pad boxes each adapted to receive a sole and shoe, abutments on the frames arranged to engaged the shoes mounted on the pads, treadle operated means-at the operating station for inflating the pads successively to apply sole attaching pressure to the shoes and soles mounted thereon, mechanism on each frame for adjusting the threaded shafts heightwise to elevate the pad box and thereby bring the shoe into engagement with the abutments before sole attaching pressure is applied and thereafter to lower the shoe from said abutments to provide space for removing the shoe, said mechanism including pinions threaded on said shafts and a rack for rotating said pinions, and a manually operated segmental cam arranged to engage a roll on each rack to actuate said rack.

17. A machine for applying pressure to shoe bottoms having, in combination, a conveyor comprising a plurality of pad boxes adjustably mounted in frames connected to an endless flexible member, inflatable shoe receiving pads in said pad boxes, stationary abutments on said frames for engaging the shoes mounted on the pads, mechanism on each frame including pinions and a rack provided with a roll for adjusting the pad box heightwise to bring the shoe thereon into engagement with the abutments, thereby causing the abutments to support the shoe during the application of sole attaching pressure, said mechanism being also arranged to move the pad box and shoe away from said abutments after the pressing operation is completed to provide ample space for the removal of the shoe from the pad and the introduction of another sole and shoe thereon, a rotatable cam at the operating station for engaging the roll on each rack when the frame carrying that rack is located at the operating station, and treadle operated means for rotating the cam to actuate the racks successively and thus move the shoes into and out of engagement with the stationary abutments.

18. A machine for applying pressure to shoe bottoms having, in combination, a conveyor comprising a plurality of pad boxes carried longitudinally in elliptical frames connected to an endless flexible member, inflatable pads in the pad boxes arranged each to receive a sole and shoe, a pair of stationary shoe engaging abutments formed on each frame, threaded studs on the bottoms of the pad boxes entering openings in the frames and arranged for movement heightwise thereof, pinions threaded on the studs and rotatable in the frames to move the studs heightwise thereby raising and lowering the pad boxes relatively to the frames, slidable racks on the frames for engaging the pinions, each rack having a roll on one of its ends, means at the operating station for inflating the pads one at a time to apply sole attaching pressure to the sole and shoe mounted thereon, and a treadle operated cam for successively engaging the rolls on said racks to actuate each rack and, through the pinions and studs, to elevate and lower each pad boxindependently of the others, thereby moving the shoe thereon into engagement with the abutments before the application of pressure thereto and subsequently moving the shoe away from said abutments to provide ample space for the removal of the shoe and the introduction of another shoe.

19. A machine for applying pressure to shoe bottoms having, in combination, a conveyor comprising a plurality of pad boxes supported longitudinally in rigid frames which are connected to an endless flexible member arranged for movement step-by-step past an operating station, inflatable pads in said pad boxes arranged each to receive and apply pressure to a sole and shoe mounted thereon, fixed abutments at the tops of the frames for supporting the shoes during the application of sole attaching pressure, treadleoperated means for inflating each pad at the operating station to apply the sole attaching pressure, mechanism on each frame for adjusting its 7 box heightwise toward the abutments and to rotate the cam in an opposite direction to move the pad box away from said abutments and thus provide ample space for the removal of the shoe from the pad and the introduction of another sole and shoe thereon.

JOHN T. LANCASTER. 

